In a parliamentary speech on 19th Apr 2023, PM Lee Hsien Loong warned that “countries are no longer talking about trade being win-win” and “we are heading towards…a world where protectionism is the default.” The Straits Times echoed this sentiment the very same day, highlighting “The Perils of the West Embrace of Industrial Policies.” We are living in an era …
Market Failure & Negative Externalities: The Singapore Bike-Sharing Case Study
A few years ago, dockless bike-sharing was the global rage. In Singapore, companies like oBike, Mobike, and oFo flooded the streets. But alongside the convenience came a massive problem: bicycles were strewn across grass patches, blocking pedestrian pathways, clogging canals, and cluttering bus stops. It was awful for pedestrians—but it created the absolute perfect real-world case study for Economics students. …
Public Goods vs. Government-Provided Goods: Is Singapore’s HDB a Public Good?
It is one of the most common mistakes made by economics students: assuming that because a good has the word “public” in its name, it must be a “Public Good.” In that Straits Times commentary, the journalist wrote that public housing in Singapore must be treated as a “public good.” While she was making a valid social point for the …
Market Failure Diagrams – Positive & Negative Externality as well as Imperfect Information (Consumer Ignorance)
Perennial headache! “Cher, why my school’s market failure diagrams are so different ah?” “Mr Hong, why different school teachers teach me different diagrams for the same externality ah?” “Cher, my new teacher’s diagrams are different from my school notes!!” “I don’t understand my school’s diagrams!” You get the idea………… So I decided to produce a video and this blog post …
A Definitive Guide to Tuition Rates in Singapore (2026)
Tuition classes have become a phenomenon in Singapore, eventually becoming a part of almost every student’s education. In fact, according to The Straits Times, even children aged four already enrol in tuition centres to give them a head-start. The tuition industry has ballooned to a billion-dollar industry, amounting to S$1.8 billion in 2023. And as of writing, there are over …
Top IB Schools in Singapore (2026 Guide): Rankings, Fees & Academic Culture
Image source: Freepik Singapore is widely regarded as the “IB Capital of the World.” Year after year, students from Singaporean international and local schools account for a disproportionately high number of perfect 45-point scores globally. But for parents, the choice is overwhelming. Do you choose the academic rigor of a local independent school like ACS (Independent) or the holistic, global …
JC Subject Combinations Guide: Science, Arts, Hybrid and Which H2 Subjects (2026)
⚠️ Updated for 2026 A-Levels: The University Admission Scoring (UAS) system has changed from 90 Rank Points to 70 Rank Points. This guide has been updated to help you choose the safest and most strategic combination under the new rules. You’ve finally finished your O levels, congratulations! (Or you have just finished bumming around whilst in the Integrated Programme.) The …
The Ultimate JC & IB Economics Definitions Bank
There’s no denying that JC Economics (A-Level) and IB Economics are on a whole new level of difficulty. Since you don’t have a strong foundation on the subject during your previous academic years, being bombarded with jargon-heavy information can truly feel overwhelming. You also have to familiarise yourself with the Economics definitions to provide the correct analyses of various economic …
IB Economics HL vs SL: A Guide to Difficulty, Syllabus & University Prerequisites
Why IB Economics? Firstly, many IB students struggle to choose between Business and Management (or other Humanities subjects) and Economics. IB Economics is an academic subject, hence essay responses written during the exams have to be referencing a specific concept in mind; there is no room for ‘waffling’, contrary to popular belief. As such, those who enjoy a form of …
H1 vs H2 Economics: 5 Critical Differences You Must Know (2026 Guide)
Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you are serious about taking A-Level Economics in Junior College. This is a highly strategic choice for your future. (If you aren’t convinced yet, check out our guide on the Benefits of Learning Economics.) But now comes the big question: Should you take H1 or H2 Economics? TLDR (The Quick Answer) Choose H2 Economics if …